Investigation ordered into schoolgirl poison murder plot

THE intended victim of a schoolgirl murder plot was forced to take out a restraining order against one of the perpetrators, it can be revealed, as the state government orders an independent probe into the Education Department’s handling of the incident.

THE state government has ordered an independent investigation into the Department of Education’s handling of a foiled poison murder plot by two schoolgirls against their classmate.

It comes as the Herald Sun can reveal the intended victim took out a restraining order against one of the perpetrators, who returned to the school when her expulsion was ­overturned.

Despite being assigned to separate areas of the school in Melbourne’s north, the victim later left the school while the perpetrator remained.

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The Herald Sun on Monday exposed the case from March last year, where two girls planned to put stolen chemicals in the drink bottle of another student “with the intent to kill”.

Staff foiled the plan when they discovered the chemicals, stolen from the school, in one of the pupil’s lockers.

Earlier this week, Victoria Police said it investigated but the victim did not wish to proceed, while Education Minister James Merlino said the perpetrators were suspended and “the appropriate course of action was undertaken”.

Education minister James Merlino. Picture: Kylie Else

The Department of Education said it had “worked with the school to ensure there was a safe environment for students following the incident and there has been no further incidents involving the students”.

However, the Herald Sun has learned after the expulsion of one of the offenders was overturned, she returned to school and the victim later left.

After the schoolgirls’ murder plot was foiled, one girl relocated to NSW and the other was expelled.

But she appealed her expulsion, which was overturned by the secretary of the Department of Education, and returned to the school while the victim took out a restraining order.

It’s understood the victim later left amid safety concerns while the perpetrator remains at the school.

The government has launched an independent investigation into the case.

Mr Merlino said: “As more information has been provided to me about this matter in recent days, I have become increasingly concerned.

“I have ordered an independent investigation by the chair of the Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution, Frank Handy, to investigate whether correct processes are being followed.

“As the Minister for Education and as a parent, it is my expectation that the protection of children is central to every decision we make.”

Opposition education spokesman Tim Smith has called for Mr Merlino to drop the education portfolio over the case.

“James Merlino said the Andrews Government handled this attempted murder plot appropriately — this was a lie,” he said.

“Now we know the victim was forced to take out a restraining order against one of the plotters, it’s obvious James Merlino breached his duty of care to Victorian students and should resign from the education portfolio.”

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